Alaska is a place where people can truly experience the great outdoors. We connect with ourselves out in the wild. Discover things about nature and about our own spirits that we wouldn’t have in the hustle and bustle of the city. And there’s nothing more tranquil than a canoe trip in silent waters, listening to the call of the birds and the jumping fish. Sounds ideal right? With your Alaska SUV rentals, you can escape to the canoe trip of a lifetime.

Plan your trip

Of course, you can’t just head out on a canoe without an idea of where you’re going. You need to plan your trip accordingly.

First thing to do is decide where you want to go, and how long you’d like to be out for. For some, you may decide that a canoe trip without a guide is daunting. Maybe you’ve never been out in Alaska before, or maybe you don’t want to deal with the difficulty of planning the trip yourself. Whatever the reason, there are canoeing tours that will be perfect for you!

These trips are guided, and often go around well-known sites that you won’t want to miss. Often they’re only a few hours so you still have time after to go back out on your own if you so choose, or to head back into town in your Alaska SUV rentals for a hearty lunch to revive yourself. Here’s a brief list of some canoe tours available.

Otherwise, get out a map and start planning! Many outfitting stores around Alaska will offer maps that can help you plan your route and destination. We’d recommend a waterproof one, or else a waterproof packet for it. After all it’s going to be your only guide. If you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it’s probably better to start off easy. Know your own limits, and speak to someone at the outfitter who may be able to help you choose a route that suits your skill level and knowledge.

Balance the boat

Now you need to pack your bags. Make sure you pack accordingly. Canoes can handle a lot of weight, but how much can you handle? If you’re going out for a few days, you’ll need all of your camping supplies and food. And a quick reminder – don’t leave any food in your Alaska SUV rentals! You may come back to damaged door from bears trying to get in.

But the rest you need to carry on your back when you stop for the day, or during portages. Pack nutritious, filling foods like nuts, energy bars, dried fruit, and trail mix to ensure you have plenty of energy for the trek ahead. And don’t full rely on a stove! Remember anything can happen in the wild, so pack foods that don’t always need to be reheated as well as fireproof pans in case your stove fails you.

Research the area

Next, you need to research the area you’ll be canoeing. As mentioned above, maps help with this. However, guidebooks can be helpful and speaking to the guide at the canoe rental shop will help you get tips about the area that the guidebook may not tell you. It also isn’t a bad idea to speak to local rangers and authorities, who want you to get out safe and treat the area with respect.

Once you’ve done that, the next step is to have your proper gear. This can include bear-proof food barrels and any wilderness tools you may need. Also make sure to have comfortable water shoes for any shallow water. Know the area – know if there are plentiful fish in the river, and what kind. That way you know what fishing equipment to pack. Research the tinder situation for your fires, and if there have been bear attacks recently. Finally, know if there are edible berries around. Alaska is rich in berries and food that is ready to be foraged. Do some research on how to forage and how to know what’s edible.

And don’t forget the first aid kit! That could be crucial on your trip. Anything can happen!

Tell someone where you’re going

Even if you’re going with several friends, it’s a good idea to tell someone else where you’re going. Perhaps your hotel clerk and some friends or family back home. Tell them the dates of your trip, and emergency numbers. After all, you may end up just leaving your phone in your Alaska SUV rentals – there isn’t much use for it in the wild! Often, you can’t get reception in the wilderness.

You’re almost ready to go. Just one last thing – book your Alaska SUV rentals! Reserve yours from Avis today to begin your canoe trip.